Because she prides herself on being a shooter, Ashley McMillen knows how frustrating it can be when she plays in gyms that make her uncomfortable with her shot.

But as the SU women’s basketball team started a full week of practice at the Carrier Dome on Dec. 1, she felt more confident and enjoyed the atmosphere more so than what she was used to at Manley Field House.

When the Orange opened on Saturday with the first of its 10 games in the Carrier Dome this season, the stat sheet alone provided enough evidence that, indeed, the Dome is a place where McMillen enjoys shooting the ball. In Syracuse’s 81-76 over Massachusetts, McMillen scored 16 points including 5-of-11 in 3-point shooting. Her other point came off a free throw late in the game that helped seal the SU victory.

‘I did have a feeling she would have a big day today,’ Syracuse women’s basketball coach Keith Cieplicki said. ‘I felt UMass would play a lot of zone. The bottom line is she came out and made a lot of plays.’

After practice last week, McMillen said the wider spacing on the court and the depth perception behind the basket didn’t bother.

She recalls going to a couple of games at the Dome to watch the men’s team play and noticed such differences between the Dome and Manley Field House. But once she started practicing on the Dome hardwood the adjustment period proved to be nonexistent. Even before Dec. 1, SU played intermittently at the Dome dating back to Oct. 21.

‘We were a little hesitant and thought, ‘Wow that’s a lot of space out there,” McMillen said. ‘I don’t think my shooting is affected by it. It’s just an arena.’

McMillen’s shooting has been affected, though, by an injury to her right hand that occurred against Buffalo on Nov. 20. In the second half, McMillen drove to the basket only to be knocked into a side advertisement. She bandaged her hand and had to receive stitches.

It wasn’t incredibly detrimental to the team per se due to her limited role, but any time she stepped on the court her shooting abilities were inhibited. After the Orange played Colgate on Nov. 29, team trainers removed the stitches.

‘It was kind of hard to shoot,’ McMillen said. ‘I went out and tried to do my best and still play and still work hard. It’s starting to get more comfortable. My shots are starting to fall.’

Cieplicki anticipated the Minutewomen playing zone because SU’s inside play has shown dominance the past couple games. On Friday, Cieplicki talked with McMillen and told the junior guard he needed her as a valuable asset the next day on the floor. Although Vaida Sipaviciute led Syracuse with 23 points, the Minutemen clamped down on her as well as Sara Antolick earlier. That led to the Orange relying on quick passes around the perimeter to open a shot.

Whenever McMillen received the ball, she often stood in the corner uncontested. On her five treys, McMillen had the luxury of taking timed, well-balanced shots. As a transfer from Monroe Community College in Rochester, McMillen set a school record 182 three pointers during her two years there. That left UMass stuck between two consequential options – either allow Sipaviciute and Antolick to create easy inside points or sometimes leave the perimeter unguarded. The Minutewomen chose the latter.

‘It can be hard at times,’ McMillen said. ‘There is definitely pressure to go out there and do your best and work hard. Whatever opportunity (Cieplicki) gives me, I’m going to go out there and take advantage of it.’

Published on December 9, 2005 at 12:00 pm